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Grandfather Clocks

Grandfather clocks evolved with the development of the pendulum clock in the 17th century. Innovative clockmakers lengthened pendulums in order to create a more reliable timekeeping device, and a case was needed to protect the pendulum and weights for domestic clocks. This inconvenience was solved by creating the longcase style of clock, more commonly known as the grandfather clock.

By the mid-18th century, American clockmakers began making tall-case clocks by hand. Due to the heavy tax on brass and other clockmaking materials shipped from abroad, the colonial grandfather clock was made mostly of wood, including its movements.

Originally producing chiming wall and mantel clocks, Howard Miller began manufacturing grandfather clocks in the '60s including the colonial-style Barwick grandfather clock. Tempus Fugit grandfather clocks are often assumed to be a brand name, but many clockmakers and watchmakers through history have inscribed the Latin phrase that translates to "time flies" on the dial of a clock. Though often applied to Ridgeway or Howard Miller clocks, the term can apply to any clock bearing the words. Modern grandfather clocks from Tiffany and Swedish Mora Gustavian spice up design collections with their contemporary edginess.


Quick Facts

  • A mid-18th century Northern European marquetry and walnut longcase clock sold for $9,999 at Bonhams in 2004
  • A William III walnut striking longcase made by Thomas Tompion around 1699 realized a price of $181,519 at an auction by Christie’s London in 2012
  • A Philadelphia Chippendale carved walnut tall-case clock with a dial signed by Edward Duffield and a case attributed to Nicholas Bernard and Martin Jugiez realized a price of $386,500 at a Christie’s New York auction in 2010

Recommended Items at Auction

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Gabriel, London Grandmother Clock
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CDT
Gabriel, London Grandmother Clock
by Link Auction Galleries
Est: $500- $700
$2501 Bid
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BENCH-MADE GRANDMOTHER'S CLOCK Late 20th Century Height 64". Width 15". Depth 11".
Jun 18, 9:30 AM EDT
BENCH-MADE GRANDMOTHER'S CLOCK Late 20th Century Height 64". Width 15". Depth 11".
by Sandwich Auction House
Est: $150- $250
$701 Bid
Emperor Walnut Tall Case Clock, 83 in. (210.8 cm.)
Jun 17, 10:00 AM EDT
Emperor Walnut Tall Case Clock, 83 in. (210.8 cm.)
by Weschler's
Est: $10- $20
$51 Bid
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Grandfather Clock
Jun 18, 6:00 PM EDT
Grandfather Clock
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$31 Bid
L.C. MAISTER CARLON INLAID TALL CASE CLOCK.
Jun 30, 9:00 AM EDT
L.C. MAISTER CARLON INLAID TALL CASE CLOCK.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $300- $600
$1501 Bid
GRANDFATHER CLOCK, 20TH CENTURY, S
Jun 20, 10:00 AM CEST
GRANDFATHER CLOCK, 20TH CENTURY, S
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
George III Style Mahogany Tall Case Clock
Jun 17, 10:00 AM EDT
George III Style Mahogany Tall Case Clock
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $500- $800
$3500 Bids
VALENTI-LIKE GRANDFATHER CLOCK, MID 20TH CENTURY.
Jun 19, 4:00 PM CEST
VALENTI-LIKE GRANDFATHER CLOCK, MID 20TH CENTURY.
by Subarna Subastas
Est: €100- €350
€1000 Bids
DIMINUTIVE TALL CASE CLOCK.
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
DIMINUTIVE TALL CASE CLOCK.
by Casco Bay Auctions
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
Franz Hermle grandfather clock, 20th century
Jun 26, 4:00 PM CEST
Franz Hermle grandfather clock, 20th century
by Subastas Darley
Est: €325- €950
€3250 Bids
CHERRY TALL CASE CLOCK W/ BROKEN ARCH TOP & CARVED PENDULUM DOOR, AMERICAN C. 1815 - 1820 99" X 20"
Jun 22, 10:30 AM EDT
CHERRY TALL CASE CLOCK W/ BROKEN ARCH TOP & CARVED PENDULUM DOOR, AMERICAN C. 1815 - 1820 99" X 20"
by Carlsen Gallery, Inc.
Est: $500- $1,000
$2500 Bids
longcase clock, (Asmus) Schmidt, Gelting (Schleswig
Jun 28, 10:30 AM CEST
longcase clock, (Asmus) Schmidt, Gelting (Schleswig
by Henry's Auktionshaus
Est: €850- €1,900
€8500 Bids
Grandfather clock "Regulator"
Jun 20, 3:00 PM UYT
Grandfather clock "Regulator"
by Zorrilla Subastas
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$1,0000 Bids
ART-DÉCO-STANDUHR.. KIENZLE.
Jun 19, 1:00 PM CEST
ART-DÉCO-STANDUHR.. KIENZLE.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€200 Bids
English Georgian chinoiserie grandfather's clock
Jul 01, 3:00 PM CEST
English Georgian chinoiserie grandfather's clock
by Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.
Est: €6,000- €8,000
€6000 Bids
PAULUS BRAMER (1730-1760 circa) Dutch longcase clock
Jul 01, 3:00 PM CEST
PAULUS BRAMER (1730-1760 circa) Dutch longcase clock
by Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.
Est: €3,600- €4,400
€1,2000 Bids
A SLIM, NOT TALL GRANDFATHER CLOCK
Jun 20, 10:00 AM CEST
A SLIM, NOT TALL GRANDFATHER CLOCK
by Historia Auctionata
Est: €0- €0
€1600 Bids
Thomas Harland Repro. Mahogany Tall Case Clock
Jul 10, 11:00 AM EDT
Thomas Harland Repro. Mahogany Tall Case Clock
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $400- $600
$1000 Bids
Fine HERSCHEDE Brass-Mounted Chiming Burl Wood Tall Case Clock
Jun 26, 2:00 PM EDT
Fine HERSCHEDE Brass-Mounted Chiming Burl Wood Tall Case Clock
by A.B.Levy’s Palm Beach
Est: $7,000- $9,000
$5,5000 Bids
Standuhr mit Mondphase
Jun 20, 11:00 AM CEST
Standuhr mit Mondphase
by Das Kunst- und Auktionshaus Kastern GmbH & Co KG
Est: €4,800- €7,500
€4,8000 Bids
SLIGH MAHOGANY GRANDFATHER CLOCK
Jun 22, 12:00 PM EDT
SLIGH MAHOGANY GRANDFATHER CLOCK
by Burchard Galleries Inc
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$5000 Bids
Herschede Virginian 9-Tube Mahog Grandfather Clock
Jun 18, 10:00 AM EDT
Herschede Virginian 9-Tube Mahog Grandfather Clock
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$9000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Grandfather Clocks


Claydon Auctioneers

Claydon Auctioneers

Medusa Auctioneers

Medusa Auctioneers

Clarke Auction Gallery

Clarke Auction Gallery

Weschler's

Weschler's